Legal bid criticised over decision to stop heart surgery

HEALTH bosses have criticised the launch of legal action against a decision to stop children’s heart surgery in Yorkshire.

National charity the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has instructed lawyers to launch a judicial review to attempt to prevent services at Leeds General Infirmary from stopping. It comes following the NHS’s Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts announcement in July it had been earmarked for the axe.

Campaigners from across South Yorkshire have been part of the fight to keep the unit open, as children requiring surgery in the area would be forced to travel to Newcastle or Liverpool under the new plans.

The Leeds branch of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is now calling on a judge to consider the lawfulness of the decision.